A seven-member committee created by the Illinois High School Association met for the first time this week to look at creating more chances for disabled student-athletes to compete, the Chicago Tribune reports.
READ: Legally Blind L-W North Golfer Juskie Aces His Latest Test
One of the ideas thrown out the meeting was a state track meet for disabled students, the report said. Marty Hickman, the IHSA executive director, told the Tribune:
A number of states are doing some things in track and field. Some are doing unified programs like the Special Olympics. ... Kids who participate in interscholastic athletics benefit from that, and we want to provide as many opportunities as possible.
One person who was happy about the IHSA's efforts was Lincoln-Way North High School sophomore Matthew Juskie, a legally blind member of the school's golf team. The IHSA bends its rules and allows Juskie to compete with a spotter.
"I think it's great," Juskie told the Tribune.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should the IHSA create separate sports competitions for students with disabilities? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Kathy Quilty
1:39 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
What a great idea!! Welcome to 2012! Many disabled students should be able to participate in sports or any type of school activity.
Rebecca Wharrie
3:01 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Yes!!! It will be too late for my oldest son, but it's necessary for qualified kids to have the option.
john bruno
4:37 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Absolutely not. With so many school districts in financial distress, there is no need to start expensive programs (with coaches, equipment, field use, etc.,) for so few kids in each school district.
Special Parent
1:16 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
You obviously have not looked around your community and seen how many kids could benefit from this. Go on living in your "Lala Land" and hopefully you will never have a child or family member that could benefit from such programs. Your comments are disgraceful.-
Janks
6:24 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
I refuse to believe that we, as a society, should alienate disabled students because it costs too much. The article doesn't say every school or even every district, it would be a regional thing where the kids could compete and even go to compete at a state level. You could easily pay for the program by cutting the salaries of some of the School Board Members across the state.
Nick Dangles
7:47 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
I think that's a great idea. They could make an all Lincoln-Way area combined team to save on cost and as part of our participation in our sports we could be required to help out and further save on cost maybe by helping with fundraising or helping on filed with ref's. Why shouldn't they have every opportunity to play. Just my opinion.
Janks
1:26 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Volunteering would help, and there's nothing that says the ref's and fields couldn't be used at existing Schools. It can and should be done, as long as it's done in a cost effective manner. They COULD also start up a charity to where people could donate to help out with costs.